Athens courts have a busy day on Monday with prominent defenders appearing before the judges. Former defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos (PASOK) stands trial for inaccurate income declarations of the past. Is this a reason to stand trial? No. The main reason for Tsochatzopoulos to be in custody since April 2012 are bribes charges…
“Tsochatzopoulos is accused of not filling in properly his derivation of wealth (pothen esches) forms between 2006 and 2009.
The ex-minister allegedly failed to declare 47,000 euros of assets in 2006, 33,000 in 2007 and 20,000 in 2008.
He is also accused of failing to declare that his wife Viki Stamati bought in 2009 the couple’s luxury home close to the Acropolis.
Tsochatzopoulos, who will be tried for embezzlement of public funds while he was defense minister, denies the charges.” (ekathimerini)
The second prominent trial of this Monday refers to spokesman of extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chrysi Avgi) Ilias Kasidiaris. He faces felony charges for assisting an assault in 2007, causing unprovoked body harm, illegally carrying and using a weapon.
Antifasists gathered outside the court where Kasidiatirs trial takes place
Kasidiaris’ involvement is based on an eye-witness testimony according to who, the perpetrators of the incident left the scene in a car owned by the Golden Dawn spokesman, who was not member of the Parliament at that time. Kasidiaris denies the charges.
Kassidiaris’ MP immunity was lifted per vote in the Parliament.
For tsochatzopoulos no voting was necessary. He was not MP since 2007.
